Lens won't retract, cannot focus when taking pic.

Answers :

Fixing a Lens Error on a Digital Camera\015\012\015\012This has to be THE most common failure mode for a digital camera. Some common error messages that might show up on the LCD's of cameras with this problem include “E18 lens error”, or “lens error, restart camera”. Some cameras might show nothing at all, but merely make a beeping noise as the lens goes out, then in, then the camera shuts off. Sometimes the lens won't even move.\015\012The problem is actually quite common throughout all camera brands. Usually it's sand or grit interfering with the lens extension mechanism. Or the camera's been dropped with the lens extended. Or the camera has been powered on, but the lens had been blocked preventing its extension. Or the battery ran down with the lens extended. Believe it or not, one BIG contributor to lens errors is using a camera case. Sand, gunk, case fibers, etc... accumulate at the bottom of the case. These materials love to cling to the camera by electrostatic build-up from the camera rubbing against the side of the case (especially those cases with soft fibrous intreriors). Once these materials work their way into the lens mechanism, that's all she wrote. I have many Canon's, and NEVER use a case for this very reason.\015\012A camera owner that suffers this problem may have no recourse for having the camera repaired. Many camera makers will not honor repairing this problem under warranty as they claim it is due to impact damage to the camera, or sand or debris getting into the lens gearing mechanism (neither of which is covered under warranty). The quoted repair cost is usually close to or more than what the camera is actually worth.\015\012Fortunately, about half the cameras that suffer this failure can easily be fixed by one of the following methods. None of these methods involve opening the camera, although some have potential to cause other damage to the camera if excessively done. If the camera is still under warranty, before trying any of these, please please first contact your camera's maker to see if they'll cover the repair, or to determine how much they'll charge for the repair. Who knows, you might get lucky. But if they quote you a number that's higher than the value of your camera, you may want to consider the following methods.\015\012The methods are listed in the order of risk of damaging your camera. Thus make sure you try them in the listed order. And remember, these fixes (especially #6 and 7) should only be considered for a camera that's out of warranty, who's cost of repair would be excessive, and would otherwise be considered for disposal if unrepaired:\015\012Fix #1: Remove the batteries from the camera, wait a few minutes. Put a fresh set of batteries back in (preferably rechargeable NiMH 2500mah or better) and turn the camera on. If that didn't work, try pressing and holding the Function or OK button while turning the camera on.\015\012Fix #2: Remove the batteries, then remove the memory card. Then install new batteries, and turn on the camera. If you get an Error E30, it means you don't have a memory card installed, so turn it off, slip in the memory card and turn it on one last time.\015\012Fix #3: Insert the cameras Audio/Video (AV) cable, and turn the camera on. Inserting this cable ensures that the camera's LCD screen remains off during the start process. Thus extra battery power is available to the camera's lens motor during startup. This extra power can be useful in overcoming grit or sand particals that may be jamming the lens. If the AV cable doesn't fix the lens error by itself, consider keeping this cable installed while trying fixes 4, 5, and 7 as a means to provide extra help to these fixes. But note that I DON'T recommend keeping the cable installed during Fix 6 as you may damage the AV port while tapping the camera. Reinsert the cable only AFTER tapping the camera.\015\012Fix #4: Place the camera flat on its back on a table, pointed at the ceiling. Press and hold the shutter button down, and at the same time press the power-on button. The idea is that the camera will try to autofocus while the lens is extending, hopefully seating the lens barrel guide pins in their slots.\015\012Fix #5: Blow compressed air in the gaps around the lens barrels with the idea of blowing out any sand or grit that may be in there jamming the lens. Other variations include blowing with a hair dryer in “no heat” setting, or sucking the gaps with a vacuum (careful with this one).\015\012Now we're entering into the realm of potentially damaging your camera in conducting the fix. There is definitely some risk here, so take care when conducting the following two fixes.\015\012Fix #6: Repeatedly tap the padded/rubber usb cover on a hard surface with the intent of dislodging any particles that may be jamming the lens. Other variations include hitting a side of the camera against the palm of your hand. A lot of people have reported success with this method. HOWEVER, there is also some potential for damaging or dislodging internal components with this method, such as unseating ribbon cables, or cracking LCD screens.\015\012Fix #7: Try forcing the lens. More people have reported success with this method than with any of the other methods. HOWEVER, there's obviously some potential for damaging your camera by using this method. Variations include gently pulling, rotating, and/or twisting the lens barrel while hitting the power button. Attempt to gently straighten or align the barrel if it's crooked or twisted. Another variation includes looking for uneven gaps around the lens barrel, and then pushing on the side of the lens barrel that has the largest gap (note pushing the lens barrel all the way in is NOT recommended as it may become stuck there). While doing any of the above, listen for a click that indicates that the lens barrel guide pins may have reseated in their guide slots. If you hear this click, immediately stop and try the camera.

Lens won't retract, cannot focus when taking pic.

On my sony cybershot dsc-w100 the lens is stuck on the out position and it keeps saying turn power off and on again. it moves the lens and acts as if it is trying to retract it but it wont go in. I can view pics have taken but cannot take pics.

Most of the lens issues due to mechanical problem. some of the causes are \015\012dropping the camera.\015\012\015\012 Hard shake like keeping the Camera in the hand and jump through steps, Moisture condensation, Insufficient battery.. etc \01 ...
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W100 Digital Camera

Digital camera got dropped into the sand, and some sand worked its way into the lens and focusing system, and now the camera cannot zoom or focus, but still turns on and takes pictures
i have a lumix dmc fx12, and it got dropped into the sand at the beach. the shutter wont close properly, there's sand in the lens, and it won't zoom. Please help!! i don't know how to fix it!!

THIS SOUNDS TERMINAL, BUT YOU MIGHT TRY USING CANNED AIR LIKE YOU USE TO BLOW DUST OUT OF YOUR COMPUTER, AND SEE IF IT HELPS ANY. MOST OF THESE CAMERAS ARE MADE WITH THE IDEA THAT THEY WILL NEVER BE TAKEN APART OR OPENED FOR CLEANING ETC. SO, THAT IS ...
Digital Cameras

Canon Powershot My dog jumped up at me while I was trying to take a picture, and needless to say she knocked the thing right out of my hands. The lens now won't retract properly and the two outer most pieces of the lens just kind of rotate freely. I can get the camera to turn on - but it wont focus because of the lens issues. What do I do??

The following blog outlines some repair options for a lens error. They won't work for all cases, but they're worth a try if the camera's no longer under warranty: ...
Canon PowerShot SD850 IS Digital Camera

Lens error i have a nikon coolpix l2 and i was taking a pic from a sunset. but after that, the lens wont retract or go back to its normal position when off. it just stuck and i cant do anything coz it says LENS ERROR. How can i solve this problem? please help thanks

I had the same problem....my problem was the lens was pushed forward and the third zoom was pushed back. so the lens is blocking the cover(thing that covers the lens) so push the lens back carefully with a cottom swab and pull the third zoomer thingy ...
Nikon COOLPIX L2 Digital Camera

I was using my Nikon D40 at son's baseball game with the 55-200 mm lens & was too close to the fence when zooming since it tapped the fence. Now it makes a squeaky noise when trying to auto focus. It will not take a pic on auto focus but will focus and if I flip the A / M switch on the lens itself over to M it will take a pic.It will take pics fine with the 18 - 55 mm lens. It's nota problem with the Zoom, but with the autofocus. When it attempts to autofocus, it goes thru the extremes of the le

This will need to be fixed , this is common with nikon on there auto focus sensingm you might want to check it into a camera shop and have it repaired or adjusted, other then that I have nothing further at this time to tell you. ...
Nikon D40x Digital Camera

Hi! My camera is saying focus error with (!) that in front of it and it wont let me take pics and the lens wont close. What does that mean and what do i do? Thanks in advance!

HelloThe problem is that the lens has become stuck in the barrel. There are some DIY solutions you could try, but the \012probability is that ...
Fuji FinePix A800 Digital Camera

How do i fix the system error (focus) message on my lumix zs1. the lens wont retract when shut off, either. can't focus nor take photos, and the camera displays a message to turn it off and then back on again

'FOCUS ERROR' LENS WILL NOT RETRACT WHEN CAMERA SWITCHED OFF AND SCREEN SAYS 'FOCUS ERROR' WHEN SWITCHED ON AND CANNOT TAKE PICTURES.

Lens error, cannot focus, lens not retracting

Lens errors are fairly common. Usually it's sand or grit interfering with the lens extension mechanism. Or the camera's been dropped with the lens extended. Or the camera has been powered on, but the lens had been blocked preventing its extension. O ...
Canon IXUS 860 IS Digital Camera

Lens wont retract or extend when pushing the power button and cannot take photos. power will not remain on.

Can you turn the camera on by pressing the playback button? This should turn the camera on to view pictures on the card without opening the lens.\015\012Check the tab on the battery door. it should activate a micro switch next to the card slot ...
Fuji FinePix E900 Zoom Digital Camera

Finepixav I cannot get the zoom lens to go back and it wont stay on focus to take a photo

I was taking pics outside, and zoomed in on the house. The camera screen went fuzzy and turned off the whole unit, yet the lens was still out. I try to power on and it makes noise, screen wont focus, and then turns off. I think the telephoto/zoom is stuck and is confusing the camera

Hi Cindy. Begin by recharging the battery. After the battery has a full charge insert it and everything should work properly. regards, Joe ...
HP Photosmart R927 Digital Camera

Minolta maxxum 400si ,i cannot get the camera to click pics.w/ manual focus w/telephoto zoom lens .i tried to change to manual mode.ithink it is .m is showing on screen.as i look thru eyepiece 125 shows on left. it states in manule it should be 250 what do i do to make this work properly ,and take pics.

Hi,Please elaborate your problem providing us with more details of the problemThanks for using FixYa. ...
Digital Cameras

When i turn on the camera the lens wont pop open even when the battery is fully charged.... i was taking pictures and it working fine turn the camera off and on again then the lens wont open anymore? i can still view all the pictures i took from the camera but cannot take pictures anymore coz of the lens wont open. i tried initializing the camera by going to set up it didnt work..msg error said turn the camera off and on again and i did but didnt work either many times i tried please help thnks!

The problem is\015\0121- some dirt somehow got on the outside of the lense. After it was retracted fully in, it prevents the camera from opening again. When you turn it on, if it opens a little bit, try to pull it out NOT too hard and let go ...
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-N2 Digital Camera

Im looking for a lens that i don't have to set up the focus. im taking a trip and my husband doesnt know how to use the camera and this 18-105mm lens needs to be focus if not then the image will be blurry. can you pls recommend a lens so he can easily take the pic's with out using the focus?

Sorry, but there is no auto focus or fixed focus lens available for your camera. You might consider purchasing an inexpensive fixed focus camera for your photo-challenged husband -- it will cost considerably less than an extra Nikon lens would. ...
Nikon D90 Digital Camera with 18-105mm lens

The focus lens was hit by a basketball and it won't take pics.

Have you tried a different lens on the camera almost any lens with the same mm size will work. If it still does not take pictures with another lens. You should take it in for service. ...
Canon EOS 400D / Rebel XTi Digital Camera

The lens wont come out. Camera powers on fine connects to computer fine i can view videos and pic but the lens wont open for me to take new pics

Fixing a Lens Error on a Digital Camera\012\012This has to be THE most common failure mode for a digital camer ...
Samsung NV10 Digital Camera

I dropped my camera and got the lens error e32 message. The lens was misaligned at first, but I straightened the lens out, so it did retract back in. Now, the problem is, when I try to take a picture, it won't focus on the subject. The green focus boxes come up, but it won't focus. What can I do?

Hi my son dropped my digital camera while the lens was extended and now it wont retract and it says zoom error also the shutter wont open fully or close, the lens is at a slight angle and wont budge do i have to take it to get repaired or can i pull it apart myself
thanks

HiIt helps to know the make and model of the camera, some cameras the lens is too fragile and we have never been able to repair them. Other models we have had a great deal of success repairing them. (Google: darntoothysam)One ...
Digital Cameras

Lumix tz3 Please turn camera off and then on again" as soon as camera is switched on. I Can view any menu, or read SD card, but cannot take any pictures. If I turn on in a picture taking mode it starts to focus and then the message appears, when I turn it off the lens does not close. If I turn on in playback mode, it works fine, if I turn it off from playback mode, then the lens closes. Basically, any picture taking mode triggers the error message. Solution?

Low battery maybe? Try holding camera firmly in one hand, with camera on and in record mode, and strike in on its edge firmly on the heal of your other hand. This technique is often sucessful with temporary camer 'quirks' like freezing, lens not full ...
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 Digital Camera

Retracting lens My canon PowerShot SD750 Digital elph wont turn on the lens comes 1/4 of the way out and wont go any farther and wont let my take pictures

My olypus fe-360 cam's lens wont retract or extend unless the battery is taken out. When the power button is pushed the camera's lens comes out as it should normally, but the screen is blank and it beeps If I take out the battery and put it back in the lens does retract back into the camera. I have not dropped this camera nor have I gotten it wet... what do you think the problem is?

When you turn on the camera to take pics the lens will come out and then beep and lens retracts back in and the camera powers off.Power stays on when you view the pics on the memory card.Is this a easy fix or expensive fix?

Kodak V1003 A few weeks ago, shortly after I'd taken a pic, the lens refused to retract and the camera switched off. It has never been dropped or had anything spilled on it. Strangely, when I press the button furthest left the camera comes on, allows me to view pictures on the card, set the time etc - everything except take pictures. Again when I try to switch off, the lens does not retract. Does this not suggest a software glitch of some kind?

No, unfortunately that is a problem with the hardware, software would not prevent the lens from retracting.\015\012\015\012If it is within manufacturer's warranty (usually 1 year) take it to any Best Buy they will send it out to the mfg f ...
Kodak EasyShare V1003 Digital Camera

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